Valve assembly for an air gun and a bleed apparatus for the air gun

ABSTRACT

A valve assembly for an air gun includes a valve housing defining a first bore. The valve assembly includes a plug disposed in the first bore. The plug is movable relative to the valve housing to an open position which allows fluid communication through the first bore and a closed position which prevents fluid communication through the first bore. A slide block includes an engagement surface. The slide block is movable relative to the valve housing to a safety position in which the engagement surface is spaced a first predetermined distance from the plug, a firing position in which the engagement surface is spaced a second predetermined distance from the plug, and a bleed position in which the engagement surface engages the plug to move the plug to the open position. A bleed apparatus includes a gas-spring assembly and the valve assembly discussed above coupled to the gas-spring assembly.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure generally relates to an air gun, and specifically towarda valve assembly and a bleed apparatus for the air gun.

BACKGROUND

An air gun is a rifle, pistol, etc., which utilizes a compressed gas tofire a projectile. Air guns may be powered by, for example, acoil-spring assembly or a gas-spring assembly. For a gas-springarrangement, a piston is moved toward a trigger to compress a gas or airbehind the piston. When the trigger is released, the piston is drivenforward by the compressed gas thereby compressing the air in front ofthe piston to discharge the projectile out of a barrel.

For some uses, it may be desirable to be able to control or adjust anamount of pressure of the compressed gas which may, for example, changea velocity of the projectile discharged out of the barrel.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a valve assembly for an air gun. Thevalve assembly includes a valve housing defining a first bore. The valveassembly further includes a plug disposed in the first bore. The plug ismovable relative to the valve housing to an open position which allowsfluid communication through the first bore and a closed position whichprevents fluid communication through the first bore. The valve assemblyalso includes a slide block, and the slide block includes an engagementsurface. The slide block is movable relative to the valve housing to asafety position in which the engagement surface is spaced a firstpredetermined distance from the plug, a firing position in which theengagement surface is spaced a second predetermined distance from theplug, and a bleed position in which the engagement surface engages theplug to move the plug to the open position.

The present disclosure also provides a bleed apparatus for an air gunincluding a gas-spring assembly and the valve assembly discussed abovecoupled to the gas-spring assembly. The gas-spring assembly includes acylinder defining a chamber configured to contain a compressed gas. Thefirst bore of the valve assembly is coupled to the chamber. The openposition of the plug allows fluid communication through the first boreand the chamber and the closed position of the plug prevents fluidcommunication through the first bore and the chamber. The slide block ismovable to the safety position, the firing position, and the bleedposition as discussed above.

The detailed description and the drawings or FIGS. are supportive anddescriptive of the disclosure, but the claim scope of the disclosure isdefined solely by the claims. While some of the best modes and otherembodiments for carrying out the claims have been described in detail,various alternative designs and embodiments exist for practicing thedisclosure defined in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of an air gun readyfor firing with a bleed apparatus and a valve assembly having a slideblock in a safety position.

FIG. 2 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the air gun notready for firing with the slide block in a bleed position.

FIG. 3 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a triggerassembly, with the slide block in the safety position and the valveassembly in a closed position.

FIG. 4 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the triggerassembly of FIG. 3, with the slide block in a firing position and thevalve assembly in the closed position.

FIG. 5 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the triggerassembly of FIG. 3, with the slide block in the bleed position and thevalve assembly in an open position.

FIG. 6 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a valve assemblyof another configuration, with the slide block in the firing positionand the valve assembly in the closed position.

FIG. 7 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the valve assemblyof FIG. 6, with the slide block in the bleed position and the valveassembly in the open position.

FIG. 8 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a valve assemblyof yet another configuration, with the slide block in the bleed positionin solid lines and the valve assembly in the open position in solidlines, and with the slide block in the safety position and the firingposition in phantom lines and the valve assembly in the closed positionin phantom lines.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Those having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that alldirectional references (e.g., above, below, upward, up, downward, down,top, bottom, left, right, vertical, horizontal, etc.) are useddescriptively for the FIGS. to aid the reader's understanding, and donot represent limitations (for example, to the position, orientation, oruse, etc.) on the scope of the disclosure, as defined by the appendedclaims.

Referring to the FIGS., wherein like numerals indicate like orcorresponding parts throughout the several views, an air gun 10 and ableed apparatus 12 for the air gun 10 are generally shown in FIGS. 1 and2. The air gun 10 may include a stock 14, a trigger assembly 16, agas-spring assembly 18, and a barrel 20. The bleed apparatus 12 may alsoinclude the trigger assembly 16 and the gas-spring assembly 18. The airgun 10 utilizes a burst of pressurized gas or compressed gas to fire aprojectile out of the barrel 20.

The stock 14 may include any suitable size and/or shape, and may beconfigured as a rifle or a pistol. The stock 14 may include and bemanufactured from any suitable material, such as a wood material, aplastic material, a composite material, or some other material capableof supporting the components of the air gun 10 during use, whilepermitting easy manufacture of the stock 14.

Generally, the stock 14 may support a compression tube 21 that defines apressure chamber 22 that houses the gas-spring assembly 18. Thegas-spring assembly 18 may optionally include a cylinder 24 defining achamber 26 configured to contain the compressed gas, such as compressedair or any other suitable gas. Therefore, the cylinder 24 may also bereferred to as a compression cylinder.

The pressure chamber 22 is in fluid communication with the barrel 20.The barrel 20 is pivotably attached to the stock 14 between aready-firing position and a cocking position. A lever 28 interconnectsthe barrel 20 and the gas-spring assembly 18. Movement of the barrel 20from the ready-firing position into the cocking position moves the lever28, which in turn moves the gas-spring assembly 18 from an uncompressedposition (see FIG. 2) into a compressed position (see FIG. 1). Once thebarrel 20 is moved back into the ready-firing position, the air gun 10is ready to fire.

The gas-spring assembly 18 may also include a piston 30 that is moveablealong a longitudinal axis 32 relative to the stock 14. Generally, thepiston 30 is disposed inside the compression tube 21. In certainconfigurations, the longitudinal axis 32 may be concentric with thepiston 30, and in other configurations, the longitudinal axis 32 isoffset or off-center from the piston 30. The piston 30 may be movableaxially or slideably disposed along the longitudinal axis 32. The piston30 is moveable between the uncompressed position and the compressedposition.

In certain configurations, the cylinder 24 may be disposed inside thepiston 30. The cylinder 24 may be fixed to the piston 30 such that thepiston 30 and the cylinder 24 move axially concurrently along thelongitudinal axis 32 between the uncompressed position and thecompressed position, or alternatively, the cylinder 24 may be coupled tothe piston 30 such that the piston 30 is movable independently of thecylinder 24 between the uncompressed position and the compressedposition (and optionally the cylinder 24 may also be movable). Whenusing the cylinder 24, the cylinder 24 of the gas-spring assembly 18 maybe filled with the compressed gas.

It is to be appreciated that the cylinder 24 may optionally beconfigured as a retrofit part that is easily installed into existing airguns. For example, the cylinder 24 may be installed as a drop-in unitinto various pistons 30 of existing air guns.

In other configurations, the cylinder 24 may be eliminated, and thepiston 30 may define the chamber 26 that is configured to contain thecompressed gas.

The gas-spring assembly 18 is configured to compress thepressurized/compressed gas within the piston 30 (or the cylinder 24 ifusing the cylinder 24) in response to movement of the piston 30 from theuncompressed position into the compressed position. Compression of thegas loads the gas-spring assembly 18 in preparation for firing theprojectile.

The trigger assembly 16 may be housed within and/or supported by thestock 14 and/or the compression tube 21. Movement of the barrel 20 fromthe ready-firing position into the cocking position also moves thetrigger assembly 16 from an uncocked position (see FIG. 2) into a cockedposition (see FIG. 1). The cocked position is generally associated witha ready to fire position, and the uncocked position is generallyassociated with a post firing, i.e., not-ready to fire position. Thesepositions apply to all of the configurations discussed herein.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the trigger assembly 16 may include anytrigger components utilized to fire a weapon. Generally, the triggerassembly 16 may include a trigger housing 34, a trigger 36 movablycoupled to the trigger housing 34, and a sear 38 which is operated viathe trigger 36 through a mechanical connection. A pin 40 may be fixed tothe trigger housing 34 and/or the stock 14 to secure the trigger housing34 to the stock 14. In other words, the trigger housing 34 is stationarypart. In certain configurations, a plurality of pins 40 may be fixed tothe trigger housing 34 and/or the stock 14. It is to be appreciated thatthe trigger assembly 16 may be configured in other suitable manners.

The air gun 10 is ready for firing, when the barrel 20 is in theready-firing position, the gas is compressed in the gas-spring assembly18 (in the compressed position), and the trigger assembly 16 is in thecocked position. When firing the air gun 10, the trigger 36 is pulledand actuation of the trigger assembly 16 releases the gas-springassembly 18, which allows the gas-spring assembly 18 to decompress.Decompression of the gas-spring assembly 18 compresses the air containedwithin the pressure chamber 22, which fires the projectile out of thebarrel 20.

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the air gun 10 and the bleed apparatus12 also include a valve assembly 42 coupled to the gas-spring assembly18. The valve assembly 42 is configured to control or adjust an amountof pressure of the compressed gas in the cylinder 24 which may, forexample, change a velocity of the projectile discharged out of thebarrel 20. Therefore, the bleed apparatus 12 allows the air gun 10 tooperate at different velocity outputs which may reflect differentprojectile weights and/or idiosyncrasy of different air guns indifferent altitudes, etc. The cylinder 24 of the gas-spring assembly 18may be filled with the compressed gas, or the compressed gas may bebled, via the valve assembly 42.

When using the cylinder 24, the cylinder 24 of the gas-spring assembly18 may be filled with the compressed gas, or the compressed gas may bebled, via the valve assembly 42. When the cylinder 24 is eliminated, thepiston 30 of the gas-spring assembly 18 may be filled with thecompressed gas, or the compressed gas may be bled, via the valveassembly 42.

Various features of the valve assembly 42 are discussed below. It is tobe appreciated that other valve assemblies 42, not explicitly discussedherein, may be used. As non-limiting examples, the valve assembly 42 mayinclude a plunger design (see FIGS. 3-5), a ball design (see FIGS. 6 and7), a Schrader valve design (see FIG. 8), etc., and these valve assembly42 configurations each cooperate with the features of the air gun 10discussed in the paragraphs above.

Continuing with FIGS. 1-8, the valve assembly 42 includes a valvehousing 44 defining a first bore 46. Generally, the valve housing 44 issupported via the stock 14. Furthermore, the valve housing 44 is fixedrelative to the stock 14. In other words, the valve housing 44 is astationary part. The valve housing 44 may be coupled to the triggerhousing 34. It is to be appreciated that the valve housing 44 may beone-single part or a plurality of parts secured to each other.

Generally, the first bore 46 of the valve housing 44 is coupled to thechamber 26. The first bore 46 is in selective fluid communication withthe chamber 26. Therefore, the first bore 46 may be in fluidcommunication to fill or bleed the chamber 26. The first bore 46 may bedisposed axially along the longitudinal axis 32. When being disposedaxially along the longitudinal axis 32 is discussed herein, this mayinclude being off-center relative to the longitudinal axis 32, offsetaxially relative to the longitudinal axis 32, or concentric with thelongitudinal axis 32.

The valve housing 44 may also define a second bore 48 in fluidcommunication with the first bore 46. Generally, the second bore 48 isopen to the atmosphere and terminates at the first bore 46. The secondbore 48 is open to outside of the air gun 10 which provides a locationto fill and bleed the chamber 26. The second bore 48 may be disposedtransverse to the longitudinal axis 32. In certain configurations, thesecond bore 48 is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 32.

To fill the chamber 26, a fluid dispensing nozzle may be secured to thevalve housing 44 at the second bore 48 to deliver the gas to the chamber26. The fluid dispensing nozzle may be secured to the valve housing 44via any suitable methods to transfer the compressed gas into the chamber26. For example, the fluid dispensing nozzle may be secured to the valvehousing 44 via threads inside the second bore 48 or any other suitablemethods such as a quick release coupler, etc.

As best shown in FIGS. 3-8, the valve assembly 42 also includes a plug50 disposed in the first bore 46. The plug 50 is movable relative to thevalve housing 44 to an open position which allows fluid communicationthrough the first bore 46 and a closed position which prevents fluidcommunication through the first bore 46. More specifically, the openposition allows fluid communication through the first bore 46 and thechamber 26, and the closed position prevents fluid communication throughthe first bore 46 and the chamber 26. Specifically, movement of the plug50 to the open position allows the chamber 26 to be filled or bledthrough the second bore 48 as desired. Movement of the plug 50 to theclosed position prevents the chamber 26 from being filled or bledthrough the second bore 48. In certain configurations, the plug 50 ismovable axially relative to the longitudinal axis 32 to the open andclosed positions. Additional details of the valve assembly 42 will bediscussed further below.

Turning back to FIGS. 1 and 2, the air gun 10 and the bleed apparatus 12may further include a rod 52 attached to the valve assembly 42. Morespecifically, the rod 52 may be attached to the valve housing 44. Therod 52 may be a separate piece from the valve housing 44 or may beone-piece or integrally formed to the valve housing 44. When the rod 52and the valve housing 44 are separate pieces, the rod 52 may be securedto the valve housing 44 via threads.

The rod 52 defines a hole 54 axially along the longitudinal axis 32. Thehole 54 and the chamber 26 are in fluid communication with each other.The hole 54 and the first bore 46 are in fluid communication with eachother when the plug 50 is in the open position to move the compressedgas into or out of the chamber 26. In certain configurations, part ofthe plug 50 may be disposed in the hole 54 of the rod 52. All of theconfigurations discussed herein may have the rod 52 and the hole 54 influid communication with the chamber 26 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

A closure structure 56 may be fixed to the cylinder 24 (if using thecylinder 24) or the piston 30 (if the cylinder 24 is eliminated).Therefore, movement of the cylinder 24 and/or the piston 30 causes theclosure structure 56 to move accordingly. The closure structure 56 isconfigured to close one end of the chamber 26 and withstand the pressureinside the chamber 26 to contain the pressurized gas therein. Theclosure structure 56 may surround the rod 52 to provide a sealedenclosure between the chamber 26 and the hole 54 of the rod 52. It is tobe appreciated that the closure structure 56 may be a bushing, and/orone or more seals 58 may be disposed between rod 52 and the chamber 26to prevent fluid leaks out of the chamber 26. All of the configurationsdiscussed herein may have the closure structure 56.

The air gun 10 may also include a slide block 60 (shown in FIGS. 1-8)that cooperates with the trigger assembly 16 and the valve assembly 42,and is movable to perform multiple functions. Specifically, the slideblock 60 is movable between three different positions, which are eachdiscussed below.

Generally, the slide block 60 is coupled to the trigger housing 34, anda portion of the slide block 60 is visible outside of the air gun 10 inorder to move the slide block 60 to the different positions. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 3, the slide block 60 may be positioned toprevent the trigger 36 from being moved, and thus, prevent the air gun10 from being fired. As another example, as shown in FIG. 4, the slideblock 60 may be positioned to allow the trigger 36 to be moved, andthus, allow the air gun 10 to be fired. As yet another example, as shownin FIG. 5, the slide block 60 may be positioned to bleed the compressedgas from the cylinder 24. The slide block 60 may be formed as one-singlepiece or a plurality of pieces coupled together.

Referring to FIGS. 3-8, the slide block 60 includes an engagementsurface 62, and may include an arm 64 (see FIGS. 1-5 and 8) spaced fromthe engagement surface 62. The arm 64 is not shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, butmay be configured the same as the other figures. The arm 64 will bediscussed further below.

The slide block 60 is movable relative to the valve housing 44 to asafety position (see FIG. 3, phantom lines identifying the slide block60 in FIG. 6, and phantom lines identifying the slide block 60 in FIG. 8farthest from the valve housing 44) in which the engagement surface 62is spaced a first predetermined distance from the plug 50, a firingposition (see FIG. 4, solid lines identifying the slide block 60 in FIG.6, and phantom lines identifying the slide block 60 in FIG. 8 betweenthe solid lines and the phantom lines) in which the engagement surface62 is spaced a second predetermined distance from the plug 50, and ableed position (see FIGS. 2, 5, and 7, and in FIG. 8 the solid lines) inwhich the engagement surface 62 engages the plug 50 to move the plug 50to the open position. Generally, the first predetermined distance isgreater than the second predetermined distance (compare FIGS. 3 and 4 orcompare the phantom and solid lines of FIG. 6 or compare the phantomlines of FIG. 8). FIG. 1 illustrates the air gun 10 ready for firing,with the gas-spring assembly 18 in the compressed position, the triggerassembly 16 in the cocked position, and the slide block 60 in the safetyposition. FIG. 2 illustrates the air gun 10 not ready for firing inwhich the chamber 26 may be bled, with the gas-spring assembly 18 in theuncompressed position, and the trigger assembly 16 is in the uncockedposition, and the slide block 60 is disposed in the bleed position. Itis to be appreciated that the air gun 10 may be bled when the air gun 10is ready for firing or when the air gun 10 is not ready for firing.

When the slide block 60 is in the safety position, the trigger 36 cannotbe moved or pulled to fire the air gun 10. Therefore, the triggerassembly 16 may include a stop 66 coupled to the slide block 60 whichabuts the trigger 36 to prevent operation of the trigger 36 when theslide block 60 is in the safety position. When the slide block 60 is inthe firing position, the trigger 36 can be moved or pulled to fire theair gun 10. Therefore, the stop 66 moves away from the trigger 36 so thetrigger 36 may be operated when the slide block 60 is in the firingposition. When the slide block 60 is in the bleed position, the stop 66is spaced from the trigger 36. The slide block 60 is not in the bleedposition when the chamber 26 is being filled via the fluid dispensingnozzle. This discussed of the slide block 60 relative to the trigger 36applies to all of the FIGS. and discussion herein.

Referring to FIGS. 1-8, the slide block 60 is movable axially relativeto the longitudinal axis 32 to the safety position, the firing position,and the bleed position. As such, the slide block 60 may slide relativeto the trigger housing 34 along the longitudinal axis 32. Generally, thearm 64 is configured to move the slide block 60 to the safety position,the firing position, and the bleed position. In certain configurations,the arm 64 is configured to slide the slide block 60 axially relative tothe longitudinal axis 32 to the safety position, the firing position,and the bleed position. The arm 64 is visible outside of the air gun 10such that a user may position the arm 64/the slide block 60 in thedesired position. It is to be appreciated that the arm 64 may includeindicia or markings to provide a visual indicator of which position(safety, firing, or bleed positions) the slide block 60 is in.

The valve housing 44 includes a first end 68 and a second end 70 spacedfrom each other relative to the longitudinal axis 32. The first bore 46is disposed between the first and second ends 68, 70 axially relative tothe longitudinal axis 32. Generally, the first bore 46 is open at thefirst end 68 and the second end 70.

In certain configurations, parts of the plug 50 are disposed outside ofthe valve housing 44 relative to the first and second ends 68, 70 of thevalve housing 44. For example, as best shown in FIGS. 3-5, the plug 50may include a first flange 72 and a second flange 74 spaced from eachother and each disposed outside of the valve housing 44 relative to thefirst and second ends 68, 70 respectively. The first flange 72 engagesthe first end 68 of the valve housing 44 when the plug 50 is in theclosed position. When the plug 50 is in the closed position, fluidcommunication is prevented through the first bore 46. Therefore, whenthe first flange 72 engages (either directly or indirectly) the firstend 68 of the valve housing 44, fluid communication is prevented betweenthe first bore 46 and the chamber 26. The first flange 72 is spaced fromthe first end 68 of the valve housing 44 when the plug 50 is in the openposition. When the plug 50 is in the open position, fluid communicationis allowed through the first bore 46 and the second bore 48. Morespecifically, when the plug 50 is in the open position, fluidcommunication occurs between the first bore 46 and the chamber 26.

The second flange 74 of the plug 50 faces the engagement surface 62 ofthe slide block 60. Additionally, the first and second flanges 72, 74are coupled to each other such that movement of one flange causesmovement of the other flange. More specifically, the first and secondflanges 72, 74 are operably coupled to each other such that movement ofthe second flange 74 causes movement of the first flange 72 when theengagement surface 62 engages the second flange 74 in response to theslide block 60 being in the bleed position. The engagement surface 62 ofthe slide block 60 engages the second flange 74 when the slide block 60is in the bleed position which causes the second flange 74 to movetoward the second end 70 of the valve housing 44 and the first flange 72to move away from the first end 68 of the valve housing 44. The plug 50may include a connector 76 disposed between the first and second flanges72, 74 to movably connect the flanges 72, 74. The connector 76 may beintegral with the first and second flanges 72, 74 or separate piecesfrom the first and/or second flanges 72, 74. Therefore, the plug 50 maybe formed of one-single piece such as FIGS. 3-5 or a plurality ofseparate pieces that cooperate with each other (see FIG. 8). It is to beappreciated that the plug 50 of FIGS. 3-5 may optionally be formed of aplurality of separate pieces that cooperate with each other.

The slide block 60 may include a front end 78 and a rear end 80 spacedfrom each other relative to the longitudinal axis 32. Generally, thefront end 78 faces the second end 70 of the valve housing 44, and therear end 80 faces away from the valve housing 44. In certainconfigurations, the arm 64 protrudes from the rear end 80 of the slideblock 60, and the engagement surface 62 is disposed along the front end78 of the slide block 60. For any of the configurations discussedherein, the arm 64 may protrude from the rear end 80 of the slide block60, and the engagement surface 62 may be disposed along the front end 78of the slide block 60.

As best shown in FIGS. 3-5, and 8, the slide block 60 may define a slot82 that is disposed, or extends, axially relative to the longitudinalaxis 32. The slot 82 may be open to the front end 78 of the slide block60, and the slot 82 may be closed between the front and rear ends 78,80. The pin 40 is disposed in the slot 82 to retain the slide block 60relative to the trigger housing 34. The pin 40 is disposed through theslot 82 transverse to the longitudinal axis 32 such that the pin 40prevents transverse movement of the slide block 60 relative to thelongitudinal axis 32. Therefore, the pin 40 may prevent movement of theslide block 60 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 32. The slot 82may be disposed concentric with the longitudinal axis 32, and in otherconfigurations, the slot 82 may be disposed offset or off-center fromthe longitudinal axis 32.

More specifically, the slide block 60 may include a first wall 84, asecond wall 86, and an end wall 88 cooperating with each other topresent a boundary of the slot 82. The slot 82 is open at one end of theslide block 60, and the slot 82 is closed at the end wall 88. The endwall 88 is spaced from the front end 78 and the rear end 80 of the slideblock 60. The slot 82 and the pin 40 discussion as illustrated in thefigures also applies to the slide block 60 of FIGS. 6 and 7.

As mentioned above, the slide block 60 is movable but the pin(s) 40 isfixed relative to the stock 14. As such, the slot 82 is designed longenough to allow the slide block 60 to move between the three positionswithout interference from the pin(s) 40. The slide block 60 is movablerelative to the pin 40 such that the end wall 88 of the slot 82 isdisposed at a first position (see FIG. 3) relative to the pin 40 whenthe slide block 60 is in the safety position, a second position (seeFIG. 4) relative to the pin 40 when the slide block 60 is in the firingposition, and a third position (see FIG. 5) relative to the pin 40 whenthe slide block 60 is in the bleed position. The first position of theend wall 88 is farther from the pin 40 than is the second and thirdpositions of the end wall 88. The third position of the end wall 88 isclosest to the pin 40 than is the first and second positions of the endwall 88. The first, second, and third positions of the slot 82 relativeto the pin(s) 40 also applies to FIGS. 6-8.

Referring to FIGS. 3-5 and 8, in certain configurations, the engagementsurface 62 is disposed adjacent to the slot 82. Therefore, theengagement surface 62 may abut and move the second flange 74 axially tobleed the chamber 26. The valve assembly 42 may include a biasing member90 disposed between the valve housing 44 and one of the first and secondflanges 72, 74. The biasing member 90 continuously biases the plug 50 tothe closed position. Therefore, when a force to move the slide block 60to the bleed position is removed, the biasing member 90 may move theslide bock 60 out of the bleed position, as well as move the plug 50back to the closed position.

In certain configurations, the biasing member 90 is disposed between thesecond end 70 of the housing and the second flange 74. Furthermore, thebiasing member 90 may surround part of the connector 76. The biasingmember 90 may abut the second flange 74 and the valve housing 44 tocontinuously bias the plug 50 to the closed position. In certainconfigurations, the biasing member 90 abuts the second end 70 of thevalve housing 44. The second flange 74 may act as a retainer to couplethe biasing member 90 to the plug 50. It is to be appreciated that thebiasing member 90 may be in any suitable location to continuously biasthe plug 50 to the closed position, and additionally, more than onebiasing member 90 may optionally be used. Furthermore, the biasingmember 90 may be any suitable biasing member such as any suitablespring, coil spring, leaf spring, Belleville washer, etc.

Continuing with FIGS. 3-5 and 8, the trigger housing 34 may define anopening 92 between the engagement surface 62 of the slide block 60 andpart of the valve housing 44. The second flange 74 and/or the biasingmember 90 may be disposed through the opening 92 (see FIGS. 3-5) suchthat the slide block 60 may engage the second flange 74. The opening 92may be disposed axially along the longitudinal axis 32.

Referring to FIGS. 3-5 and 8, the valve assembly 42 may also include aseal 58 disposed in the first bore 46. The seal 58 may be configured tominimize fluid leaks. The seal 58 surrounds part of the plug 50 tofluidly close the second end 70 of the valve housing 44. Therefore, whenthe chamber 26 is being filled or bled, the compressed air does not exitthe valve assembly 42 at the second end 70 of the valve housing 44 viathe first bore 46. It is to be appreciated that the valve assembly 42may include more than one seal 58, and for example, a seal 58 may bedisposed between the first flange 72 and the first end 68 of the valvehousing 44, and another seal 58 may be disposed in the second bore 48.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, in certain configurations, the plug 50and/or the first bore 46 may have other configurations. For example, inthis configuration, the plug 50 is further defined as a spherical-ball.The valve housing 44 may include a first retaining wall 94 and a secondretaining wall 96 spaced from each other inside the first bore 46 todefine a pocket 98. The plug 50 is disposed in the pocket 98 and engagesthe second retaining wall 96 when the plug 50 is in the closed position.The first and second retaining walls 94, 96 prevent the plug 50 fromexiting the pocket 98. Furthermore, in this configuration, the slideblock 60 may be movable inside part of the first bore 46.

For this configuration, when the plug 50 is in the closed position,fluid communication is prevented through the first bore 46. Therefore,when the plug 50 engages (either directly or indirectly) the secondretaining wall 96 of the valve housing 44, fluid communication isprevented between the first bore 46 and the chamber 26. The plug 50 isspaced from the second retaining wall 96 of the valve housing 44 whenthe plug 50 is in the open position. When the plug 50 is in the openposition, fluid communication is allowed through the first bore 46 andthe second bore 48. More specifically, when the plug 50 is in the openposition, fluid communication occurs through the chamber 26 and out ofthe first bore 46.

In this configuration, the plug 50 (spherical-ball) is continuouslybiased to the closed position via fluid pressure. In other words, thecompressed air exerts a force against the plug 50 which continuouslybiases the plug 50 against the second retaining wall 96. When a force tomove the slide block 60 to the bleed position is removed, the plug 50may move the slide bock 60 out of the bleed position by the plug 50being pushed via the fluid pressure. Therefore, the plug 50(spherical-ball) automatically moves into the closed position when theforce to move the slide block 60 into the bleed position is removed. Theplug 50 (spherical-ball) of this configuration allows for precisepressure reduction when bleeding the chamber 26 by moving and releasingthe arm 64, and the plug 50 automatically moving via the fluid pressure.

Continuing with FIGS. 6 and 7, the engagement surface 62 of the slideblock 60 may be disposed adjacent to the slot 82 (the slot 82 isillustrated in FIGS. 1-5 and 8 which is suitable for FIGS. 6 and 7). Theengagement surface 62 of the slide block 60 engages (either directly orindirectly) the plug 50, which moves the plug 50 away from the secondretaining wall 96 to open the first bore 46 and allow the chamber 26 tobe bled. Optionally, the slide block 60 may include a finger 100 havingthe engagement surface 62 of the slide block 60, and the finger 100 maymove axially through the first bore 46. The entrance of the first bore46 along the first retaining wall 94 is offset from the location of thefirst bore 46 in the second retaining wall 96 to prevent the plug 50from blocking the entrance of the first bore 46 to allow fluidcommunication therethrough when the plug 50 is in the open position (seeFIG. 7).

To fill the chamber 26 for this configuration, the compressed air fromthe fluid dispensing nozzle applies a greater force to the plug 50 thanthe force being applied via the gas inside the chamber 26, which movesthe plug 50 to the open position to fill the chamber 26. The valveassembly 42 may include a seal 58 disposed in the pocket 98. The seal 58may be configured to minimize fluid leaks. The plug 50 may be surroundedvia the seal 58 when the plug 50 is in the closed position. It is to beappreciated that the valve assembly 42 may include more than one seal58, and for example, a seal 58 may be disposed between around the slideblock 60 due to the location of the second bore 48 relative to the firstbore 46 to prevent compressed gas from exiting the second end 70 of thevalve housing 44, and another seal 58 may be disposed in the second bore48. It is to be appreciated that the above discussion of the slide block60 also applies to FIGS. 6 and 7, and the slide block 60 of FIGS. 6 and7 may include one or more seals 58 and the finger 100, as compared toFIGS. 3-5. The seals 58 discussed throughout this description may be anysuitable configuration, and one non-limiting example may include ano-ring.

With regard to the Schrader valve configuration, as shown in FIG. 8, theplug 50 may be formed of a plurality of pieces 102, 104, and the biasingmember 90 may be in a different location as compared to FIGS. 3-5. InFIG. 8, the plug 50 is in the open position in solid lines, and the plug50 is in the closed position in phantom lines. In this configuration,the plug 50 may include a first portion 102 and a second portion 104that cooperate with each other. In certain configurations, the first andsecond portions 102, 104 abut each other. Therefore, movement of thefirst portion 102 causes movement of the second portion 104. The firstportion 102 of the plug 50 may include the first flange 72, and thesecond portion 104 of the plug 50 may include the second flange 74.

Optionally, the second portion 104 of the plug 50 may be fixed to theslide block 60. In other words, the second portion 104 of the plug 50may be one-piece or integral with the slide block 60. It is to beappreciated that one or more pieces of the plug 50, for thisconfiguration or for other configurations, may be one-piece or integralwith the slide block 60.

Furthermore, in the configuration of FIG. 8, the valve housing 44 mayinclude a plurality of pieces 106, 108. As such, the valve housing 44may include a first body 106 and a second body 108 secured to eachother, and the first bore 46 may be defined through the first and secondbodies 106, 108. The bodies 106, 108 may be threaded together or securedto each other by any suitable method. The second body 108 may be securedto the first body 106 inside part of the first bore 46 of the first body106. The biasing member 90 may bias against the second body 108 and partof the plug 50 to continuously bias the plug 50 to the closed position.Furthermore, the plug 50 may include a retainer 110 to couple thebiasing member 90 to the plug 50. The retainer 110 may be part of thefirst portion 102 of the plug 50, and the retainer may abut the secondportion 104 of the plug 50.

The plug 50 may be surrounded via one or more seals 58. The seal 58 maybe configured to minimize fluid leaks. It is to be appreciated that thevalve assembly 42 may include more than one seal 58, and for example, aseal 58 may be disposed around the second portion 104 of the plug 50 toprevent compressed gas from exiting the second end 70 of the valvehousing 44.

While the best modes and other embodiments for carrying out thedisclosure have been described in detail, those familiar with the art towhich this disclosure relates will recognize various alternative designsand embodiments for practicing the disclosure within the scope of theappended claims. Furthermore, the embodiments shown in the drawings orthe characteristics of various embodiments mentioned in the presentdescription are not necessarily to be understood as embodimentsindependent of each other. Rather, it is possible that each of thecharacteristics described in one of the examples of an embodiment can becombined with one or a plurality of other desired characteristics fromother embodiments, resulting in other embodiments not described in wordsor by reference to the drawings. Accordingly, such other embodimentsfall within the framework of the scope of the appended claims.

1. A valve assembly for an air gun; the valve assembly comprising: avalve housing defining a first bore; a plug disposed in the first boreand movable relative to the valve housing to an open position whichallows fluid communication through the first bore and a closed positionwhich prevents fluid communication through the first bore; and a slideblock including an engagement surface, and the slide block is movablerelative to the valve housing to a safety position in which theengagement surface is spaced a first predetermined distance from theplug, a firing position in which the engagement surface is spaced asecond predetermined distance from the plug, and a bleed position inwhich the engagement surface engages the plug to move the plug to theopen position.
 2. The valve assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein thefirst predetermined distance is greater than the second predetermineddistance.
 3. The valve assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein: thevalve housing includes a first end and a second end spaced from eachother relative to a longitudinal axis; the first bore is disposedbetween the first and second ends axially relative to the longitudinalaxis; and the slide block is movable axially relative to thelongitudinal axis to the safety position, the firing position, and thebleed position.
 4. The valve assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein:the plug includes a first flange and a second flange spaced from eachother and each disposed outside of the valve housing relative to thefirst and second ends respectively; the first flange engages the firstend of the valve housing when the plug is in the closed position, andthe first flange is spaced from the first end of the valve housing whenthe plug is in the open position; and the engagement surface engages thesecond flange when the slide block is in the bleed position which causesthe second flange to move toward the second end of the valve housing andthe first flange to move away from the first end of the valve housing.5. The valve assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein the slide blockincludes an arm spaced from the engagement surface, and the arm isconfigured to slide the slide block axially relative to the longitudinalaxis to the safety position, the firing position, and the bleedposition.
 6. The valve assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein: theslide block includes a front end and a rear end spaced from each otherrelative to the longitudinal axis; the front end faces the second end ofthe valve housing, and the rear end faces away from the valve housing;and the arm protrudes from the rear end of the slide block, and theengagement surface is disposed along the front end of the slide block.7. The valve assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein: the slide blockdefines a slot that extends axially relative to the longitudinal axis;the slot is open to the front end of the slide block, and the slot isclosed between the front and rear ends; and the engagement surface isdisposed adjacent to the slot.
 8. The valve assembly as set forth inclaim 1 wherein: the valve housing includes a first end and a second endspaced from each other relative to a longitudinal axis; the first boreis disposed between the first and second ends axially relative to thelongitudinal axis; and the valve housing defines a second bore in fluidcommunication with the first bore, and wherein the second bore isdisposed transverse to the longitudinal axis.
 9. The valve assembly asset forth in claim 8 wherein: the plug includes a first flange thatengages the first end of the valve housing when the plug is in theclosed position to prevent fluid communication through the first bore,and the first flange is spaced from the first end of the valve housingwhen the plug is in the open position to allow fluid communicationthrough the first bore and the second bore; the plug includes a secondflange that faces the engagement surface; and the first and secondflanges are operably coupled to each other such that movement of thesecond flange causes movement of the first flange when the engagementsurface engages the second flange in response to the slide block beingin the bleed position.
 10. The valve assembly as set forth in claim 9further including a biasing member disposed between the valve housingand one of the first and second flanges, and the biasing membercontinuously biases the plug to the closed position.
 11. The valveassembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein the biasing member is disposedbetween the second end of the housing and the second flange.
 12. Thevalve assembly as set forth in claim 8 further including a seal disposedin the first bore, and the seal surrounds part of the plug to fluidlyclose the second end of the valve housing.
 13. The valve assembly as setforth in claim 1: wherein the valve housing includes a first retainingwall and a second retaining wall spaced from each other inside the firstbore to define a pocket; wherein the plug is disposed in the pocket andengages the second retaining wall when the plug is in the closedposition; wherein the plug is continuously biased to the closed positionvia fluid pressure; and further including a seal disposed in the pocket,and the plug is surrounded via the seal when the plug is in the closedposition.
 14. The valve assembly as set forth in claim 13 wherein theplug is further defined as a spherical-ball.
 15. The valve assembly asset forth in claim 1 wherein the slide block includes an arm spaced fromthe engagement surface, and the arm is configured to move the slideblock to the safety position, the firing position, and the bleedposition.
 16. A bleed apparatus for an air gun comprising: a gas-springassembly including a cylinder defining a chamber configured to contain acompressed gas; and a valve assembly coupled to the gas-spring assembly,and the valve assembly includes: a valve housing defining a first borecoupled to the chamber; a plug disposed in the first bore and movablerelative to the valve housing to an open position which allows fluidcommunication through the first bore and the chamber and a closedposition which prevents fluid communication through the first bore andthe chamber; and a slide block including an engagement surface, and theslide block is movable relative to the valve housing to a safetyposition in which the engagement surface is spaced a first predetermineddistance from the plug, a firing position in which the engagementsurface is spaced a second predetermined distance from the plug, and ableed position in which the engagement surface engages the plug to movethe plug to the open position.
 17. The bleed apparatus as set forth inclaim 16: wherein the slide block defines a slot disposed axiallyrelative to a longitudinal axis, and the plug is movable axiallyrelative to the longitudinal axis to the open and closed positions; andfurther including a trigger housing and a pin fixed to the triggerhousing and disposed through the slot transverse to the longitudinalaxis such that the pin prevents transverse movement of the slide blockrelative to the longitudinal axis.
 18. The bleed apparatus as set forthin claim 17 wherein: the slide block includes a first wall, a secondwall, and an end wall cooperating with each other to present a boundaryof the slot; the slot is open at one end of the slide block, and theslot is closed at the end wall; and the slide block is movable relativeto the pin such that the end wall of the slot is disposed at a firstposition relative to the pin when the slide block is in the safetyposition, a second position relative to the pin when the slide block isin the firing position, and a third position relative to the pin whenthe slide block is in the bleed position; wherein the first position ofthe end wall is farther from the pin than is the second and thirdpositions of the end wall; and wherein the third position of the endwall is closest to the pin than is the first and second positions of theend wall.
 19. The bleed apparatus as set forth in claim 16: furtherincluding a rod attached to the valve assembly, and the rod defines ahole axially along a longitudinal axis; wherein the hole and the chamberare in fluid communication with each other; and wherein the hole and thefirst bore are in fluid communication with each other when the plug isin the open position to move the compressed gas into or out of thechamber.
 20. The bleed apparatus as set forth in claim 19 wherein thefirst predetermined distance is greater than the second predetermineddistance, and the slide block is movable axially relative to thelongitudinal axis to the safety position, the firing position, and thebleed position.